Karen Ziemba, Tiler Peck & More to Join Rebecca Luker & Boyd Gaines in LITTLE DANCER at Kennedy Center; Full Cast Announced

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced complete casting for its world premiere musical production of Little Dancer. The musical features book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Lynn Ahrens, music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty, and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Performances of Little Dancer will take place in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater from October 25 to November 30, 2014. Press night will be Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Previously announced casting includes four-time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines as Edgar Degas, three-time Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker as Adult Marie van Goethem, and New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck as Young Marie van Goethem. Additional casting includes Polly Baird, Wendi Bergamini, Lauren Blackman, Sophia Anne Caruso, Janet Dickinson, Juliet Doherty, Nina Goldman, Kyle Harris, Sean Martin Hingston, Jolina Javier, Michael X. Martin, Michael McCormick, James A. Pierce III, Jenny Powers, Katelyn Prominksi, Michele Ragusa, John Riddle, Amy Ruggiero, Joseph Simeone, Justin Urso, Lyrica Woodruff, and Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba.

Part fact, part fiction, and set in the harsh backstage world of the Paris Opera Ballet, Little Dancer is inspired by the young ballerina who posed for Edgar Degas and became, inadvertently, the most famous dancer in the world. Torn by her family's poverty, her debt to the artist and the lure of wealthy men, Marie struggles to keep her place in the ballet corps-a girl on the verge of womanhood, caught between the conflicting demands of life and art.

The creative team includes set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Kai Harada, and music supervision by David Loud. Shawn Gough will conduct the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.

Little Dancer runs October 25 through November 30, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Beginning on Sunday, November 2 there will be matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 1:30 p.m. Additional matinee performances will take place on October 30, November 6, 13, 19, and 28 at 1:30 p.m. There are no evening performances on November 9, 16, 23, and 30. Tickets starting at $45 are on sale now by visiting the Kennedy Center website, in-person at the Kennedy Center box office, or by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.